List of Kansas landmarks facts for kids
A landmark is a special place or building that is important for its history, beauty, or unique features. The state of Kansas is full of amazing landmarks that tell stories about its past and show off its natural wonders. From famous homes to fascinating museums and incredible natural formations, there's a lot to explore!
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Famous Homes
Kansas is home to several houses where important people once lived. These homes often become museums, letting you step back in time.
Dwight D. Eisenhower's Boyhood Home
In Abilene, you can visit the boyhood home of Dwight D. Eisenhower. He grew up to become a famous general in World War II and later the 34th President of the United States. His home, the Eisenhower Library, and his grave are all in Abilene.
Carrie Nation's House
The house of Carrie Nation is in Medicine Lodge. Carrie Nation was a very famous woman who believed that alcohol should be illegal. She was known for her strong actions against places that sold alcohol. Today, her house is a museum where you can learn about her life and the history of the temperance movement.
Frederick Funston's Boyhood Home
In Iola, you can find the boyhood home of General Frederick Funston. He was an important army soldier who served in several conflicts, including the Spanish-American War.
Cool Museums
Kansas has many museums that are perfect for learning about history, science, and unique collections.
Evel Knievel Museum
The Evel Knievel Museum in Topeka is dedicated to the legendary stunt performer, Evel Knievel. It features a collection of his personal items, motorcycles, and memorabilia from his daring jumps.
John Brown Museum
In Osawatomie, you can visit the John Brown museum. John Brown was an abolitionist, meaning he was someone who strongly fought to end slavery before the American Civil War.
Oz Museum
If you love The Wizard of Oz, you'll enjoy the Oz Museum in Wamego. It even has a recreation of Dorothy's farm house from the classic 1939 movie!
Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center
The Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson is an amazing place for space fans. It has one of the largest collections of artifacts from the Russian Space Program outside of Moscow. You can also see important pieces of American space history, like the Apollo 13 command module and an SR-71 Blackbird spy plane.
Kansas Museum of History
The Kansas Museum of History in Topeka is the state's official museum. It tells the story of Kansas, from its earliest inhabitants to modern times, with many interesting exhibits.
Sternberg Museum of Natural History
Located in Hays, the Sternberg Museum of Natural History is famous for its fossil exhibits. Many of these fossils were discovered by Charles Hazelius Sternberg, a well-known fossil hunter. The museum also features various temporary exhibits.
Mid-America Air Museum
The Mid-America Air Museum in Liberal has one of the largest collections of civilian and military aircraft in the United States. It's a great place to see many different types of planes up close.
Historical Sites
Kansas has many historical sites that played a big part in shaping the state and the nation.
Chisholm Trail in Abilene
Abilene was the important ending point of the Chisholm Trail. This trail was a famous route where cowboys drove huge herds of cattle all the way from Texas to be loaded onto trains and sent to markets.
Constitution Halls
Kansas has two important buildings called Constitution Hall, each with a unique history:
- In Lecompton, Constitution Hall was where the Kansas Territorial Government met. They wrote the Lecompton Constitution in 1857, which supported slavery.
- In Topeka, Constitution Hall was where the Kansas Free State Government met during the same time. They wrote the Topeka Constitution in 1855, which was against slavery. These halls show the deep disagreements about slavery in Kansas before the Civil War.
Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics
The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics is located in Lawrence, on the campus of the University of Kansas. It holds a huge collection of papers from Senator Robert J. Dole, a very important politician.
Boot Hill Museum
The Boot Hill Museum in Dodge City brings the Old West to life. You can learn about cowboys, lawmen, and the exciting history of this famous frontier town.
Dalton Defenders Museum
In Coffeyville, the Dalton Defenders Museum remembers the brave townspeople who defended their town against the Dalton Gang. This famous outlaw gang tried to rob two banks at the same time on October 5, 1892, but the town fought back.
Concordia's Historic Sites
Concordia is home to the historic Brown Grand Theatre, a beautiful old theater. It also has Camp Concordia, which was a prisoner of war camp during World War II.
Original Rules of Basketball
The Debruce Center at the University of Kansas in Lawrence is where you can see the original rules of basketball. These rules were written by James Naismith, who invented the sport!
Halls of Fame
Kansas is home to several halls of fame that honor achievements in different fields.
Greyhound Hall of Fame
The Greyhound Hall of Fame is located in Abilene. It celebrates the history and champions of greyhound racing.
National Teachers Hall of Fame
In Emporia, you'll find the National Teachers Hall of Fame. This special place honors outstanding teachers from across the United States.
National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame
The National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame is in Bonner Springs. It celebrates the history and achievements of farming and agriculture in America.
Amazing Geological Sites
Kansas might be known for its flat prairies, but it also has some incredible natural rock formations and landscapes.
Big Basin Prairie Preserve
The Big Basin Prairie Preserve in Clark County features two large sinkholes called Big Basin and Little Basin. These are natural depressions in the ground, formed when the land above an underground cave collapses.
Arikaree Breaks
The Arikaree Breaks are a unique area of badlands located in Cheyenne County, Kansas. Badlands are dry, eroded landscapes with steep slopes and deep gullies, often looking like miniature mountains.
Cimarron National Grassland
The Cimarron National Grassland in Morton County is the largest area of public land in Kansas. It's a vast expanse of natural grassland, important for wildlife and conservation.
Monument Rocks
Monument Rocks is a series of stunning chalk formations, including arches and towering pillars, located near Griggs, Kansas. These natural sculptures were formed by erosion over millions of years.
Castle Rock
Near Quinter, Kansas, you can find the chalk formation known as Castle Rock (Kansas) and nearby badlands. Like Monument Rocks, Castle Rock is a dramatic natural landmark carved by time and weather.
Rock City
Rock City, Kansas is another unique geological site featuring huge, spherical sandstone concretions. These giant, round rocks look like they were placed there by giants!
Other Unique Landmarks
Kansas also has some truly one-of-a-kind attractions.
Biggest Ball of Twine
In Cawker City, you can see the Biggest ball of twine. This giant ball of sisal twine was started on August 15, 1953, and continues to grow as people add to it!
Big Well
The Big Well in Greensburg is the world's largest hand-dug well. It was dug by hand in the late 1800s to provide water for the town and the railroad.
Big Brutus
Big Brutus is a massive electric strip mining shovel on display in West Mineral, Kansas. It's one of the largest electric shovels ever built and a fascinating example of huge machinery.
Norman Number 1 Replica
Near the chamber of commerce building in Neodesha, you can see a replica of Norman Number 1. This is believed to be the first oil derrick (a structure used for drilling oil) built west of the Mississippi River. There's also a small museum dedicated to its history.
See also
- List of Registered Historic Places in Kansas
- List of oldest buildings on Kansas colleges and universities
